There are growing worries about the possible effects on downstream areas of India, especially Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, of China’s continuous push for massive hydropower projects, especially the dam project. Concerns have been raised by Neeraj Singh Manhas, Advisor at the Parley Policy Initiative, regarding China’s dam project on the Yarlung Tsangpo river, which changes its name to the Brahmaputra as it enters India. He said that China has long been preparing a massive project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River. As it enters Assam, Yarlung Tsangpo is referred to as Brahmaputra.
Manhas went on to say that although China might defend the hydropower project by pointing to its drive for sustainable energy, the project has implications for India, particularly in the Northeast. Unregulated mining activity on the Tibetan plateau, a significant area with vast natural resources, has led to displacement of around 1.3 billion people. The Yangtze Dam, the world’s largest, has also displaced local indigenous people. Bhutan faces concerns about upstream projects on transboundary rivers, potentially altering water flow, impacting agriculture, and increasing flash flood risks in Indian states.
Bhutan’s upstream position may not directly affect the situation. India-Bhutan relations are a topic of concern, with concerns over structural and environmental risks, cultural and spiritual implications, and the potential for dam failures or natural disasters. Dorji, a private citizen and recipient of a scholarship, praised the bilateral relationship between India and Bhutan, stating it is exemplary. However, climate change is a significant geopolitical and environmental concern, particularly in river-dependent regions in the Northeast.
